Walgreens Reaches One Million Seasonal Flu Shots as Consumer Awareness Drives Record Pace for Immunizations

DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Following two weeks of unprecedented consumer demand for seasonal flu shots, Walgreens (NYSE:WAG)(NASDAQ:WAG) has administered more than one million immunizations since it began offering them Sept. 1 at its 7,000 drugstores nationwide and nearly 350 Take Care Clinics. Walgreens eclipsed the 1 million shots mark on Sept. 15, as the nation’s largest drugstore chain nearly surpassed in just over two weeks the approximately 1.2 million flu shots it gave last season.

“We’ve seen tremendous response to the early availability of seasonal flu shots”

“We’ve seen tremendous response to the early availability of seasonal flu shots,” said Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson. “Consumers are being proactive when it comes to flu prevention, and it’s gratifying to know that our health care professionals are playing such an active role as a valuable resource throughout this flu season.”

On Sept. 8, one week after launching the largest flu prevention initiative in the company’s 108-year history, Walgreens began offering seasonal flu shots at all of its pharmacies in 50 states from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, through the end of September. Shots are also available outside those hours on a walk-in basis when an immunizing pharmacist or nurse practitioner is on staff, or by appointment. Take Care Clinics at select Walgreens locations will continue offering flu shots on a walk-in basis during weekdays as well as evening and weekend hours this flu season.

With more than 16,000 pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants licensed or certified to provide flu shots, Walgreens has the largest retail network of certified immunizers in the U.S.

Seasonal flu shots cost $24.99 and Take Care Clinics are again offering the FluMist nasal spray as an alternative to the shot for $29.99. Shots may be covered by insurance plans as well as Medicare Part B. Patients are encouraged to check with their insurance provider for coverage details. For Walgreens store locations and pharmacy hours, call 1-800-WALGREENS or visit www.walgreens.com/flu, and for the nearest Take Care Clinic visit www.takecarehealth.com.

Distribution of $1 Million in Seasonal Flu Shot Vouchers Begins at Bus Tour Locations Sept. 17

On Thursday, Walgreens will begin distributing up to $1 million in seasonal flu shot vouchers to uninsured adults who visit one of nine Wellness Tour bus locations in select markets around the continental U.S. Vouchers are not available at Walgreens stores. Vouchers are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last and are good for one seasonal flu shot redeemable at Walgreens pharmacies and Take Care Clinics. The Walgreens Wellness Tour delivers free health screenings and health education to more than 2,000 communities in 300 cities nationwide every year.

“We’re here to help, and continue to explore new and different ways our expansive network of immunizers can be of assistance, by providing convenient and accessible health care in local communities throughout the country,” Wasson said.

Those uninsured wishing to find dates and the nearest Wellness Tour location are asked to call 1-866-484-TOUR or visit www.aarpwalgreens.com/tour.

Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2008 sales of $59 billion. The company operates 6,996 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Walgreens provides the most convenient access to consumer goods and services and cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services in America through its retail drugstores, Walgreens Health Services division and Walgreens Health and Wellness division. Walgreens Health Services assists pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefit manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc., Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy LLC and SeniorMed LLC (a pharmacy provider to long-term care facilities). Walgreens Health and Wellness Division includes Take Care Health Systems, the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.